Though his publications include only two novels and a single volume of poems, composer, pianist, vocalist, lyricist Gil Scott-Heron has established himself in the literary world and in the field of popular music. His trend-setting production of almost two dozen record albums has overshadowed his writings to such a degree that, in the main, his audience is not aware of his early literary creations. It is typical that only after long acquaintance with his live performances, record albums, and television concert series do his followers come upon his novels. His poems are the more familiar of his written works, since a selection of his poems has been printed in a booklet included with the 1978 album The Mind of Gil Scott-Heron. As a rule, Americans do not read poetry; but many do listen to records.

Scott-Heron's choice of the record album as his chief medium has placed him solidly...